Aiming for the first victory in the Japan-Korea Capital Battle!

　This is the third preseason match against K League's FC Seoul. It was held away. In the recent Nabisco final match against Verdy, under the pressure of needing to win to advance in the qualifiers, we allowed the first goal and spent the first half chasing the game. However, thanks to Hirayama's hat trick, we achieved victory and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the Final Round. The team then had a three-day break, but the atmosphere is good, and we want to carry this momentum to win against FC Seoul and make a good start for the league match against Chiba on 6/29 (Sunday).

　FC Seoul is currently in 4th place in the league with 20 points (14 teams, 5 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss). Although MF Lee Chung-yong and FW Park Joo-young are absent due to national team duties, there are representative-class players in each generation, and they will launch sharp attacks centered around FW John HIGASHI. Additionally, head coach Gyunes has expressed a strong determination, stating, "While it is a pleasure to host the third Japan-Korea capital showdown, we must naturally play a match that does not bring shame to that." With the league resuming on the 25th (Wednesday) in sight, the team's motivation is high.

　Tokyo is without the Japan national team duo of Nagatomo and Konno, and Kajiyama is also participating in the Olympic representative match on Dec 12 (Thu), so considering their condition, they will not accompany the expedition. Coach Jofuku stated, "This will be a battle aimed at the match against Chiba on 6/29, but we want both content and results." The starting lineup saw changes in the defense, with Sahara as center-back and Kanazawa as left-back instead of the DF line from the Nabisco match against Verdy, and Asari was included in place of Kajiyama.

　Ishikawa said, "FC Seoul is a team that combines strength and speed, a type not found in Japan. We have played two matches so far but have yet to win, so we must achieve victory!" Additionally, Cabore faced FC Seoul when he was in the K League last season. His good compatibility is evident with three goals in two league matches. Today, the registered members will be within 18, with a maximum of 7 substitutions. The match is held at Seoul World Cup Stadium, filled with about 40,000 spectators. It started with FC Seoul's kickoff at 3:00 pm.

Cabore scored the opening goal with a penalty, and the team went into halftime with a comfortable lead.

　Under clear skies and strong sunlight, Tokyo launched an offensive from the beginning. In the 5th minute, Cabore broke through on the right side after receiving a through pass from Hirayama. Emerson, who followed from behind, sent a cross directly, and Cabore shot the ball that Hirayama headed down. Although Asari rushed in on the rebound from the GK, it went outside the goal. In the 9th minute, Hirayama received a throw-in from Kanazawa on the left side, evaded the opposing defender, and shot with his left foot, but it went straight to the GK. They advanced while connecting passes and smoothly developed attacks from both sides.

　In the 15th minute, Sahara was substituted for Moniwa due to an incident where he injured his right foot, but they did not ease their attacking efforts. In the 17th minute, Emerson on the right side sent a through pass to Hirayama, but it was cut off, and from the rebound, Cabore took a powerful shot from the central middle range, which went wide to the left. In the 19th minute, Cabore, who broke free from Emerson's vertical pass, shot but the opposing goalkeeper made a save. The opposing defenders were completely unable to cope with Cabore's speed and could not stop him.

　FC Seoul launched quick attacks from interceptions in midfield, and there was a moment when forward John HIGASHI got into a shooting position, but the defense, led by Shiota, did not allow any goals. Furthermore, Cabore's momentum accelerated. In the 28th minute, Emerson created a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper from a through pass by Hanyu in the 36th minute, but it went wide of the target.

　Then, in the 38th minute, he picked up an opponent's passing error and charged towards the goal with a dribble. Unable to withstand it, the opposing defender fouled Cabore, resulting in a penalty kick. Cabore himself converted this penalty in the 40th minute to take the lead. After that, FC Seoul also launched a counterattack from the right side, seizing a chance from a free kick but did not allow any goals. The first half ended as it was.

Allowed a goal from FC Seoul's fierce attack, ending in a draw

　At the start of the second half, Ishikawa was brought on to replace Hanyu. In the 47th minute, from Ishikawa's right corner kick, Hirayama, who was free in the center, took a shot with a one-touch but it went over the goal. It was a decisive moment. Unlike the first half, FC Seoul applied intense pressure from the front, and when they regained possession, both wings surged forward boldly. They began to launch a thick attack with more players involved, gradually finding their rhythm. In the 55th minute, after connecting passes in front of the goal, a cross came in from the right side. Forward John HIGASHI dropped it for the free forward Dejan, who took a shot unmarked, but the ball hit the post and went out of play.

　Tokyo substituted Cabore, Bruno QUADROS, and Shiota with Akamine, Ohtake, and Ogi in the 59th minute. They wanted to create rhythm with fresh members, but the momentum of FC Seoul did not stop. Then, in the 73rd minute, a cross from the right side of Tokyo was sent by FW John HIGASHI with a direct last pass into the area, and the incoming FW Dejan took a shot. Ogi's outstretched foot could not reach it, and they conceded a goal, making it a tie.

　The intense back-and-forth continued, and towards the end, Tokyo had several chances. In the 80th minute, a quick restart from a free kick saw Akamine take a powerful mid-range shot, but it went straight to the GK. In the 83rd minute, Hirayama made a direct through pass from the right. Ishikawa received it and took a shot, but the opposing GK made a great save. In the 87th minute, Emerson's early cross from the right side was met by Hirayama, who made a spectacular diving header, but it went straight to the GK.

　In stoppage time, Ishikawa dribbled down the right side with speed, evading the defenders, and sent a cross from deep in the opponent's territory, but Akamine's shot at the near side went to the right of the goal. In the end, they could not secure an additional goal, and the match ended. With this draw, Tokyo's overall record stands at 2 draws and 1 loss.

　【Player Comments】《Cabore》"In the first half, we were able to attack well, but in the second half, due to the heat, the quality of our attack dropped. We had several chances, but I couldn't finish them. I thought we could score if we made runs behind the flat defensive line of Seoul. I will work hard to utilize this experience in the upcoming J-League." 《Hanyu》"It was a team we faced for the first time, and I wanted to see how much we could showcase our own style of play. In that sense, I was able to play well and feel good about it. As a team, we were able to reaffirm our high-quality play while maintaining possession against a K-League team. However, it's disappointing that we couldn't do that in the second half. We have a camp coming up, and I want to aim for a higher level so we can compete for the championship. (To the fans) I am filled with gratitude for coming all the way to support us. I apologize for not being able to win. Please continue to support us."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "First, I would like to thank the Korean officials and FC Seoul officials for allowing us to play a match in this wonderful stadium, so well organized. We are very pleased to have played in such a fantastic atmosphere, in an environment similar to an official match. Also, thanks to the very friendly and passionate Korean supporters and FC Tokyo supporters, we were able to approach the game with high motivation. Regarding our play, I think we managed the midfield connections to some extent, but there was some weakness in the finishing. Also, we learned something from FC Seoul's long balls and their connections in front of the goal. (What is your evaluation of Hirayama?) We recognize the potential and ability he has. However, the opposing team focused on neutralizing his strengths, and the match developed in that way. He is working on adapting and addressing these challenges. Not all players have every ability, and he is no exception; he is currently tackling difficult challenges for himself. (Cabore was last year's K League top scorer but hasn't scored much in the J League this year. What is your evaluation of him?) Of course, I know about his performance last year, and that is why we brought him to our team. Certainly, he may have fewer goals, but I believe his contribution to the team is very high, and as he gradually gets used to it, I expect him to score goals as well. (The head-to-head record is 1 loss and 2 draws.) I was not the coach in past matches, so I do not know. However, the traditional Korean strength in front of the goal, which we learned about today, might be the reason. (Is there a possibility to participate in next year's ACL?) If we can make use of the valuable experience gained today, we might be able to face Korean teams in next year's ACL, and I hope that will be the case."